All year long, members of the Hudson County Democratic Organization have been trying to convince me that I should change my second moniker for their political party, "HCDeadO," in my writings. Sure, there is some hope for a reversal; but Tuesday evening's partisan gala, a rally for the upcoming general election, spoke to several reasons why it's not time.

Held in the Casino in the Park in Jersey City, the annual gathering is always expected to show the Democrats at their best. Members come in with high expectations and they should traipse out roaring with a gung-ho spirit to get out the Democratic vote. Instead, it was one big yawner.

NO STAR POWER

Sure there were about 400 or more dressed up people – Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop told the crowd there were 560 pre-event tickets sold – sitting at the tables or anchored at the bar. So, where were the headliners who are also considered big time orators capable of rousing the crowd? Missing was the guy at the top of the Democratic slate, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, formerly of Newark by way of Northern Valley. The message was that he was at a fund-raiser, so he sent his older brother, Cary. Certainly Booker’s pocket change is more money than what his Republican rival Jeff Bell has to run a campaign

Also missing was U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. I expected to see blue-collar linguist state Senate President Steve Sweeney at a table. Makes me wonder, who attended the Essex County Democrat’s gala on the same night?

Instead, most of the speakers were less than lively figures whose lines could have appeared in cartoon balloons over their heads. Assembly Speaker Vinnie Prieto of Secaucus looks the part as HCDeadO chairman. He has the best tie knot. You can never say anything bad about someone who is friendly, a good soul, and looks as if he smiles so much that it must hurt by the end of the day.

State Sen. Sandra Cunningham of the troubled 31st District and Jersey City tried to be a good soldier by leading the crowd with loud chants reminiscent of a big football game rally at the campus bonfire. Unfortunately, she was dealing with graduates who have seen this act before, resulting in half-hearted echoes. No “J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!” here. No one is planning to get out a vote – there’s no competition.

U.S. Rep. Albio Sires of West New York, or from somewhere in the Sunshine State, said it was great to walk into a room and know that everyone is working together. After using the words “McCann” and “roughshod” to describe past party low points, Sires went out of his way to praise Fulop, saying “the young mayor of the biggest city” found it was better working with others rather than fighting with them. Then the congressman mentioned someone who was missing, kick-starting the event theme.

TRIBUTE FOR LATE MAYOR

The party’s decision to pay tribute to the late Harrison mayor, Raymond McDonough, may have contributed to what became a lackluster, wake-like event. McDonough died Feb. 14 in his Town Hall office. There was nothing wrong with honoring him, considered by many to have been quite a good guy. I liked the always gracious Ray and his sidekick, the late Council President Peter Higgins, two guys who helped transform Harrison. The problem was that the McDonough tribute was poorly planned and executed. It sucked the life out of the annual political event.

Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise said all the right things — J even the story of his first meeting with McDonough and helping him to build a soccer stadium were heartfelt. You could feel the sad emotions of Harrison’s new Mayor James Fife, as his voice cracked and his eyes began to water while talking about his predecessor. Unfortunately, too many people felt they had to say something. A video about the late mayor failed to properly start and its length prompted many in the Casino to talk, eagerly and loudly eat the served entrée and wander to the bar. Short and sweet should always be the rule.

AXIS OF POWER

Sires is correct in praising Fulop. There were several references to the political message of the evening: a unified Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties, whose combined support is needed by Fulop for a gubernatorial run. This political unification is by design. When Bergen County Democratic Chairman Louis Stellato — J he of the pinky ring — J spoke, he said the triumvirate as a union that will make statewide political waves. I interpret that to mean that besides backing candidates, they would eventually share patronage, which may have already started.

Where Bergen is concerned, whether it is a wave or a ripple will depend on James Tedesco’s success in trying to defeat Republican incumbent County Executive Kathleen Donovan. At the start, Donovan seemed tough and then tougher as she added some Democratic campaign and union people to her operations. Life would be easier for governor candidate Fulop with a Tedesco victory.

As for the term "HCDeadO," it originates back around the civil war days, 2006-2008, when there was so much Democratic Party animosity around the county that one only imagined unity as a choke hold. There doesn’t seem much of that these days — J although I still can’t get Sires and former West New York Mayor Sal Vega together for a selfie. It is also unsafe to put Hudson County Sheriff Frank Schillari and Freeholder Anthony Romano, who I’m told covets the Sheriff’s badge, in any small room at the same time.

As one county operative suggested, the Democratic organization is, at best, fractured. It is hard to hold a successful annual county event so soon after municipal major fund-raisers. It is not quite all for one and one for all.

Mayors Nick Sacco of North Bergen and Brian Stack of Union City, both state senators, held recent money-raisers. Sacco is capable of attracting about 1,400 people and Stack’s turnout is famous for about 1,600 rabid followers. Those two Democrats could easily help fill the Jersey City Armory or any county venue of size, in a show of party strength. Stack might even show up at such a staging. Ray would have probably approved.

But for now, it’s still the HCDeadO.

By the way, I'd like to thank the Hudson County Sheriff's officers for making certain that I and others properly parked in the rain. The county parking service is always top notch at Democrat functions.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Agustin C. Torres' columns can be found online at NJ.com/opinion.